Thieves armed with bats stole cash from a security van at a petrol station this afternoon.

Police were called at 2pm to reports of a robbery at the Esso Cobham service station on the London bound carriageway of the A2.

A police spokeswoman said that two or three people stole money from the van, parked at the station, to allow guards to re-stock a cash machine.

One security guard suffered injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening, and has been taken to hospital.

A getaway vehicle has since been recovered by officers at a nearby location.

The service station is currently closed but will open shortly.

Witnesses reported seeing up to eight police cars at the scene.

A police car and police tape is blocking the slip road off the A2 to the petrol station.